O Lord, I call to you; my Rock, do not be deaf to my cry; lest, if you do not hear me, I become like those who go down to the Pit.
Hear the voice of my prayer when I cry out to you, when I lift up my hands to your holy of holies.
Do not snatch me away with the wicked or with the
evildoers, who speak peaceably with their neighbors,
while strife is in their hearts.
Repay them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their actions.
According to the work of their hands repay them and give them their just deserts.
They have no understanding of the Lord's doings,
nor of the works of his hands; therefore he will break them down and not
build them up.
Blessed is the Lord! for he has heard the voice of my prayer.
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I have been helped;
Therefore my heart dances for joy, and in my song will I praise him.
The Lord is the strength of his people, a safe refuge for his anointed.
Save your people and bless your inheritance; shepherd them and carry them forever. Psalm 28
Dear Auntie,
I am so happy for you and Uncle!! You have a baby boy, and everyone is healthy! Even Zechariah is finally able to talk again. I understand how he felt when the Lord told him that he would be a father in his old age. The Lord's miracles and timing are hard to grasp, let alone understand. I will never understand why I was chosen, young and unmarried! And I have learned that hardships and confusion follow when you say yes to the Lord. I am so glad for you both and looking forward to meeting little John someday soon.
Things have gotten even more complicated than I could have expected. Joseph just received word that he would have to go to Bethlehem to pay the tax that Caesar had imposed upon our people. Each has to go to their city of origin, and cannot pay it here, despite the fact that he has been here for a long time. We had heard of the decree, but these details were only told to us recently. So, on top of everything else, we have a journey ahead of us. This means the wedding will have to be sooner and I will have to travel in this condition. Our hope is surely to have the baby here at home, so the plans will have to be made soon.
As soon as this piece of information was shared, Mama started sewing and cooking like she was possessed. Joseph felt so bad, he had tears in his eyes when he shared this news. We sat outside in the evening for a long time. He told me this is not the way he wanted to start our lives together. His kindness broke my heart. This is all the Lord's doing, and we are caught up in something bigger than ourselves, yet neither of us really know how to manage it all. We sat for a long time, looking at the stars, wondering what is in store for us.
Elizabeth, I often sing the song of Miriam that you taught me. It helps to calm my heart and soul. I will write again soon. Please, pray for us.
love,
Mary
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